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midwifereading's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Overall, it's beautifully written, descriptive, intriguing, and fascinating story. I had a hard time putting it down, and probably could have read it in one sitting had I had the opportunity.
I loved the characters, except Luc. We hate Luc. And I love a good bad guy that lets me hate him. It feels good to hate evil.
As for Addie, I love her. Her flawed, insecure, born-in-the-wrong-century, creative, and stubborn personality resonates with me in some ways. She and I are in no way truly alike, but her desire to be like a tree, planted firmly, and making a mark on the landscape, resonates profoundly. She's frustrating at times, but that's okay -- even that ignites compassion.
And Henry? Poor kiddo! (Yes, he's 28, but still...) What a beautiful soul, who needed some good therapy, and found love instead. Love him, and the way he enables Addie to make a mark through more than just her seven freckles. He's a good guy with some deep struggles, and he and Addie belong together.
That said...
**taps mic**
THIS BOOK GAVE ME FEELINGS!
Very, very mixed feelings. The premise is intriguing, and I found myself waiting for Addie to claim victory over the darkness, but that never happens, and I just...😭😳☹️😡
As soon as Henry says, "I remember you," and everything changes, I got so excited, eager to see how they would work together to find salvation from their respective deals and live happily ever after. But that's not what happens.
The ending is rather poetic and romantic, and is neither fully happy, nor fully sad. It's hopeful and depressing at the same time. It's not even an ending, per se. It's open, and up for debate, but the implications seem to point in one direction that makes me a bit furious at the darkness. I'm not entirely satisfied with the ending. I don't think I'm supposed to be. So, Schwab accomplished her goal, I suppose.
One weird note: Schwab really likes the word "tangled." It's all over the place. Everywhere. Hands, limbs, sheets, clothes... it's all "tangled." Not a complaint, but also not NOT a complaint. 🤷🏻♀️
Content notes: There is some mild spice. Nothing graphic, explicit, or gratuitous. But I tend to skim those passages for personal reasons. There's also some swearing, but it's scattered, and totally appropriate when it's used. There is also a suicide attempt, and addiction is dealt with.
I loved the characters, except Luc. We hate Luc. And I love a good bad guy that lets me hate him. It feels good to hate evil.
As for Addie, I love her. Her flawed, insecure, born-in-the-wrong-century, creative, and stubborn personality resonates with me in some ways. She and I are in no way truly alike, but her desire to be like a tree, planted firmly, and making a mark on the landscape, resonates profoundly. She's frustrating at times, but that's okay -- even that ignites compassion.
And Henry? Poor kiddo! (Yes, he's 28, but still...) What a beautiful soul, who needed some good therapy, and found love instead. Love him, and the way he enables Addie to make a mark through more than just her seven freckles. He's a good guy with some deep struggles, and he and Addie belong together.
That said...
**taps mic**
THIS BOOK GAVE ME FEELINGS!
Very, very mixed feelings. The premise is intriguing, and I found myself waiting for Addie to claim victory over the darkness, but that never happens, and I just...😭😳☹️😡
As soon as Henry says, "I remember you," and everything changes, I got so excited, eager to see how they would work together to find salvation from their respective deals and live happily ever after. But that's not what happens.
The ending is rather poetic and romantic, and is neither fully happy, nor fully sad. It's hopeful and depressing at the same time. It's not even an ending, per se. It's open, and up for debate, but the implications seem to point in one direction that makes me a bit furious at the darkness. I'm not entirely satisfied with the ending. I don't think I'm supposed to be. So, Schwab accomplished her goal, I suppose.
One weird note: Schwab really likes the word "tangled." It's all over the place. Everywhere. Hands, limbs, sheets, clothes... it's all "tangled." Not a complaint, but also not NOT a complaint. 🤷🏻♀️
Content notes: There is some mild spice. Nothing graphic, explicit, or gratuitous. But I tend to skim those passages for personal reasons. There's also some swearing, but it's scattered, and totally appropriate when it's used. There is also a suicide attempt, and addiction is dealt with.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Suicide attempt
Minor: Cursing
lasabea's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt
Minor: Death of parent and Sexual content
murray3's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
THE PROSE IS 11/10!!! The ending just was not my favorite but it was still so good. Ugh it made me cry. I love Addy. I love Luc. I love love love it
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
imogenoakes's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Addiction, Drug use, War, Death, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Grief, and Sexual content
kcrockford's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
Minor: War
kcliff67's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Moderate: War, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexism and Sexual content
tristanpej's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide attempt
atsy6's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This will live rent free forever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Drug use, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
angorarabbit's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
There is limited ethnic and lgbtq++ representation.
The plot is interesting and novel. It did give The Time Traveler’s Wife vibes, though it is quite different. There is a lot of potential there.
The plot is interesting and novel. It did give The Time Traveler’s Wife vibes, though it is quite different. There is a lot of potential there.
I also liked the writing style and will try another of Ms Schwab’s books
I was disappointed that it took Addie so long to leave France considering what she sold for the ability to see the world. I also would have liked to learn how Addie learned the languages she knew and how she learned to read considering the small amount of formal education she had before her first deal with Luc and her disability.
Addie herself did not really seem to grow as a character and minor characters were uninteresting, basically filling in the room. I would have loved to have seen Luc through other than Addie's eyes. Henry while nice was a bit of a cypher. Addie also does not seem to learn that many people work as day labourers, earning money with no documentation and different employers each day.
I was satisfied with the ending until the last chapter, now I have some questions now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, War, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Drug use, Death of parent, Violence, and Toxic relationship
A main character is an occasional sex worker and thief.faithtaylor's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I don’t have the words yet, but let my rating speak for itself. LIFE-ALTERING TBH. I will never be the same.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug use, Sexual content, Addiction, Suicide, and War
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, Trafficking, and Death of parent